Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-07-27
WASHINGTON.
From our Washington Correspondent
WASHINGTON. D, c., july %, 1887.


The officials at the Signal Service Bureau
report that with but single exception,
Monday last was the hottest day that has
been experienced in Washington since that
Burea u has been in existence. At midday
thermometers in various parts of the city
indicated the temperature to be from 100 to
107 degrees, while thermometer placed
upon the asphalt pavement and exposed to
the rays of the sun registered 1874 degrees.
This extreme heat resulted in the almost
universal suspension of work upon buildings
in course of construction, and in several oil
the Departments the clerks were dismissed
at an early hour for the day. Although
there were numerous instances in which
persons were overcome by the heat, there
were but few cases which resulted fatally
Fortunately the extremely high tempe.
nature, was of short duration, and was sue
coded by a cool wave which rendered life
much more enjoyable.
The work upon the new terraces and the
magnificent staircase at the west front O
the Capitol is being pushed forward a.
rapidly as possible, the only interruption
being that occasioned by the excessively
hot weather. The work has reached thai
point which renders it necessary to remove
the fountain as we'll as the oval fish pond
which it will be remembered occupied the
space between the old staircase wings
The old fountain and basin, together with
the beautiful gold fish which for many
years have been admired by visitors, who
have rarely passed the basin without stop.
ping for moment to admire the countless
bits of animated gold. as they darted about
in the clear water of the basin, will be re-
moved to the grounds of the National In
sane Asylum near the city.
It is said at the State Department that
the number of Americans who have left
this country for Europe has never before
been equaled in the history of the Depart.
ment. 1t is estimated that rs, 600 tourists
have sailed from the United States since
the first of April. The records of the de-
partment show that more than four thou
sand passports were issued during the
months of April, May, June and the early
part of July, and more than four-ffths Of
the tourists sail without passports. This
unusually large exodus is probably to be in
measure accounted for by the recent jubi
lee celebration of Queen Victoria. A ma
jority of those who have applied for pass
ports are Germans, who desire to be pro
tected against the army regulations of the
| fatherland, while Americans who Intend
visiting Turkey, Russia, Italy Or Spain in
variably procure passports before leaving
the United States as the regulations of these
| countries are sometimes severe upon tour
| lists.
The count OF coin and other securities
which has been in progress at the Treasury
Department since May 23rd was completed
during the past week. Although upon ex
animation of the bags in the silver vault.
it was found that several of the bags were
short two OF three pieces, each of these
were gradually recovered during the pro
gress of the count until all wore found, anC
the committee reported that there is not E
deficiency of single penny in the amount
supposed to be contained in the vaults.
III